Now that makes sense. It would certainly reduce the amount of flawed ribbons that might cause the tubes to fail proof. It would also be a huge labor savings as well, as opposed to the individual smiths forging their own ribbons. It also explains the relative consistency found in the patterns. Great post.

It also "begs the question" that the English smiths may have bought ribbons from Belgium.

Regards
Ken

Last edited by Ken61; 04/15/17 07:10 PM.
I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.